שָׁקַד (H8245) — Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁקַד

𐤔𐤒𐤃

shâqad

H8245 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To keep watch, to be vigilant, to attend diligently. The verb denotes watchfulness characterized by alert attention, either literal (awake as opposed to asleep) or metaphorical (careful, attentive oversight). In some contexts, it connotes active observation or intent focus, whether as a guard over something, in anticipation, or in fulfillment of a promise.

Semantic Range

to be watchful, to guard or keep watch, to remain awake, to be vigilant or alert, to attend with care, to watch over (as in to oversee or act attentively), to anticipate with intent

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁקד, which primarily conveys the idea of being awake or vigilant. The root meaning ('to watch, be alert, attend carefully') forms the basis for the derived verb שָׁקַד ('to watch, keep vigil'). The common noun שָׁקֵד ('almond tree') is related by wordplay in Jeremiah 1:11–12 because the almond tree is among the first to blossom, symbolizing watchfulness or promptness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁקַד primarily describes God’s attentive oversight (Jeremiah 1:12: 'I am watching over my word to perform it') or a person’s vigilant watching (as in guards or sentinels). It may be used literally for wakefulness (Psalm 102:8) or figuratively for eager diligence (Daniel 9:14). Wordplay in prophetic texts (e.g., Jeremiah 1:11–12) links the almond tree (שָׁקֵד) to watchfulness, emphasizing God’s active attention. The verb does not necessarily imply positive or negative intent but focuses on the attentiveness of the watcher. In post-biblical Hebrew, the concept persists in ideas of diligence and attentiveness.

Translation Consistency

primary "watch" 11 occurrences

“Watch” best captures the primary sense—literal keeping watch/remaining awake and the figurative sense of vigilant attention or oversight. It is natural English, fits the common renderings (keep watch, be watchful, watched), and is less ambiguous than ‘keep’ or ‘guard’ for the full range of contexts.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"watchers of" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

שׁקד (shâqad) — to watch, be vigilant, be alert, attend carefully

Root שׁקד to watch, be vigilant, be alert, attend carefully

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H8247	שָׁקֵד	the almond tree

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H8245-06`	שֹׁקֵ֥ד	shoqed	`HVqrmsa`	am watching	watching one	watching	3
`H8245-04`	שָׁקַ֣דְתִּי	shaqadeti	`HVqp1cs`	I have watched	I kept watch	I kept watch	2
`H8245-01`	אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד	esheqod	`HVqi1cs`	I will watch	I will keep watch	I will watch	1
`H8245-02`	לִ/שְׁקֹ֣ד	lisheqod	`HR/Vqc`	watching	to keep watch	to keep watch	1
`H8245-03`	שָׁקַ֬ד	shaqad	`HVqp3ms`	watches	he kept watch	he keeps watch	1
`H8245-05`	שִׁקְד֣וּ	shiqedu	`HVqv2mp`	Watch	Keep watch	Keep watch	1
`H8245-07`	שֹׁ֥קְדֵי	shoqedey	`HVqrmpc`	who watch	watchers of	watchers of	1
`H8245-08`	וַ/יִּשְׁקֹ֤ד	vayisheqod	`HC/Vqw3ms`	and-has-kept-watch	and he kept watch	and he kept watch	1
`H8245-09`	יִשְׁקֽוֹד	yisheqod	`HVqi3ms`	will keep watch	he will keep watch	it will keep watch	1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H8245-07`	Isaiah 29:20	שֹׁ֥קְדֵי	shoqedey	`HVqrmpc`	who watch	watchers of	watchers of
`H8245-06`	Jeremiah 1:12	שֹׁקֵ֥ד	shoqed	`HVqrmsa`	I am watching	watching one	watching
`H8245-06`	Jeremiah 5:6	שֹׁקֵד֙	shoqed	`HVqrmsa`	will watch	watching one	watching
`H8245-04`	Jeremiah 31:28	שָׁקַ֣דְתִּי	shaqadeti	`HVqp1cs`	I watched	I kept watch	I kept watch
`H8245-01`	Jeremiah 31:28	אֶשְׁקֹ֧ד	esheqod	`HVqi1cs`	I will watch	I will keep watch	I will watch
`H8245-06`	Jeremiah 44:27	שֹׁקֵ֧ד	shoqed	`HVqrmsa`	am watching	watching one	watching
`H8245-04`	Psalms 102:8	שָׁקַ֥דְתִּי	shaqadeti	`HVqp1cs`	I have watched	I kept watch	I kept watch
`H8245-03`	Psalms 127:1	שָׁקַ֬ד	shaqad	`HVqp3ms`	watches	he kept watch	he keeps watch
`H8245-02`	Proverbs 8:34	לִ/שְׁקֹ֣ד	lisheqod	`HR/Vqc`	watching	to keep watch	to keep watch
`H8245-09`	Job 21:32	יִשְׁקֽוֹד	yisheqod	`HVqi3ms`	will keep watch	he will keep watch	it will keep watch
`H8245-08`	Daniel 9:14	וַ/יִּשְׁקֹ֤ד	vayisheqod	`HC/Vqw3ms`	and-has-kept-watch	and he kept watch	and he kept watch
`H8245-05`	Ezra 8:29	שִׁקְד֣וּ	shiqedu	`HVqv2mp`	Watch	Keep watch	Keep watch

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